AboutRodger Knutson Expertise I am an expert on old coin operated machines, slot machines, trade stimulator's, jukeboxes, old arcade machines, etc. I have been identifying these for people who respond to my web site listed below, for a few years now. In almost all cases I am able to tell them about their old coin operated machines, the year, the value, and other general information about their machines. I do not know much about soda vending machines, coin banks, or scales, but I will try to help you with these if I can. Please email photo's to: jackpot7@ix.netcom.com My web site is at: http://www.coinslots.com
Experience I bought my first slot machine, a .50 Cent Mills Black Cherry in 1969 and have been hooked from that time, I still have that Slot machine! Before that I found a open barrel full of old scraped jukebox wall boxes behind a restaurant, I wanted them all but never took a one of them. Anything that took a coin drove me nuts!
Question Hello, Rodger, I have a Mills Melon Bell and I just read your suggestion about cleaning the escaltor when the coins jam. I have just done that with a gasoline type cleaner , paper towels and q-tips. My escalator works well. Can I remove the reels of the mechanism and do the same with the mechanism?
Answer Hi Norton,
Glad to hear that your escalator is working good now, that's cool. As for the mechanism, that's another matter. Yes, you can remove the entire Reel Bundle from the Mechanism without to many problems. If you have reel brakes "these are hard wires going between each reel, some machines have them, and most don't or there missing" These have to be removed first. There each held by a nut and a thumb or wing nut on the back bar, they may be gone already. The easiest way to remove a reel bundle is to cock the reel mechanism and stop just before the reel kick off. Watch the vertical payout fingers, when they start coming back from the round holes in the reel desk, this is where you want to stop. Now there is a screw on top of each end of the Axel, that just needs to be loosened so you can pull the Axel out and remove the reel bundle. Now you have just the mechanism, missing the reel bundle and you can clean it. How?, solvent tank, or solvent and high presser washer maybe, there are several ways, coin operated car wash and a can of gunk? Anyway, after it's cleaned it will have no oil or grease so, you will have to pull things apart and grease the bushings, and oil the levers, oil the clock, etc, etc, as it will not work without lubrication. Old grease had a wax or paraffin base, when with time the oil goes away, and you are stuck with old hard wax. That is way these things like levers, bushings and arms freeze up with time, and this wax has got to go to get it running like a swiss watch again. This is a job, so don't try it unless your willing to see the whole project through, because it will not work until it's all greased and oiled again, and you cannot oil and grease things from outside, each part needs to be pulled, cleaned and greased then put back in place. oiling something from the outside doesn't work. Again, this is a lot of work, but do it right and your machine will run like you have never seen it run before, and it will be happy for a long time. "TIP" I use rifle boar wire cleaners to clean the bushing shaft holes. These are the wire brushes that come with a cleaning kit for your guns. You might want to invest in a manual showing you where the parts go, or take a lot of photo's as you take it apart so you have your own photo's to go by to get it back together right. A manual will also show you adjustments if you have to make any.
